Swedish Folk Tales

This dazzling collection of twenty-nine illustrated stories, retold by some of the greatest Swedish writers, includes:

“When Mother Troll Took in the King’s Washing” by Elsa Beskow

“The Magician’s Cape” by Anna Wahlenberg

“Leap the Elk and the Little Princess Cottongrass” by Helge Kjellin

“The Four Big Trolls and Little PetHer Pastureman” by Cyrus Granér

“The Trolls and the Youngest Tomte” by Alfred Smedberg

“The Ring” by Helena Nyblom

“The Seven Wishes” by Alfred Smedberg

“Stalo and Kauras” by P. A. Lindholm

“The Maiden in the Castle of Rosy Clouds” by Harald Ostenson

“The Boy and the Trolls, or the Adventure” by Walter Stenström

“The Crofters and the Gnomes” by Anna Wahlenberg

“The Golden Key” by W. E. Björk

“The Giant Who Slept for Ten Thousand Years” by Einar Rosenborg

… and many more!

John Bauer’s original and evocative illustrations bring these classic Swedish folk tales to life. His art seems to me to be a combination of earthly idealism and a fascintating evocation of spiritual reality (or perhaps “elemental reality”). It is no wonder that he is so beloved in Sweden. This collection, paired with his paintings, makes this a book to treasure for generations.

Because of the complexity of some of the themes, as well as the rather robust encounters of humans and elemental beings, I personally recommend this collection for children ages 9 and older, though some of the stories are appropriate for younger children.